This, I hope, will be a new monthly section for the blog!  Each month to give you an idea of what’s out there, reviews you may want to keep an eye out for and to give me focus to complete my Goodreads challenge, I will be listing 5-6 books that I will be aiming to read throughout the month.

This will be a combination of both traditional and indie published and will range from new releases to books that have been on my real and virtual shelf for longer than they deserve.  So far I’m hoping that my April will look pretty much like this:

The Queens Rising by Rebecca Ross – This was a whim purchase as I loved the cover and I have been seeing it everywhere on Instagram.  It’s top of my list to read in April.

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.
Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.
Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.
With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

Seekers by R.A Denny – This author contacted me last month to seek a review for book one in this series and despite my heaving tbr I was so intrigued by the premise that it swiftly moved to the top of the list.  Refugees was one of my favourite reads last month so am excited to start book 2 soon!

“Bring the seals together in Tzoladia and you will learn their secrets.” An intriguing, yet simple quest. But nothing is ever that easy. 
Killer monkeys lurk in the woods. Treacherous watchers skulk the underground tunnels. An evil emperor’s minions control the archipelago city. 
Brina is proficient in archery. Moshoi skillfully wields the swords he crafts. Amanki has mastered sailing. But those skills aren’t enough. The three young adventurers must make choices. Choices that mean life or death. Choices with no safe answer. 
The Society of the Word has given them tools: wise sayings, moral stories, mysterious prophecies. But their faith will be tested. Will the star guide them to their destiny or lead them to their doom? Who will survive?

Echo Among Stars by Joanna S Morris – Somewhat shamefully this has been on my tbr for over a year.  I was lucky enough to win the other books in the series at a facebook release party last week so I thought it was time to give this one a go!

Would you risk everything you thought you knew about yourself if it meant saving everyone you love? 
Sixteen-year-old Eden Huntleigh and her family live within the district of Empyrean. Under the rule of The Renegades, and their tyrant leader Cesar, every aspect of life is controlled. Streets are patrolled by humanoid Enforcers. Necessities are rationed. Disobedience is not tolerated. 
When Eden receives an omen, and joins a group of Rebels led by the alluring Leo Dillon, her life begins to unravel. 
Just as the Rebels are beginning to understand what they are capable of Cesar has kidnapped their families forcing them to strike before they are ready. Once inside the Empyrean palace they discover the horror of what they are truly facing. Does Eden have what it takes to be the legend she was destined to be? Ready or not she’s about to find out..

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas. I have been steadily working my way through this series, I read the prequel novellas and Heir of Fire in March and I have to say I am still waiting for this series to become awesome.  Don’t get me wrong I have been enjoying the series and if the last 100 pages of Heir of Fire are anything to go by I think I’m heading for the payoff with Queen of Shadows!

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…
She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.
The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

So check back for reviews if any of these have caught your eye too.  What is on your TBR for April?